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Adrian named AL Player of the Week

Adrian named AL Player of the Week

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Adrian's five homers 2:20

8/25/11: Adrian Gonzalez blasts five homers in three straight games against the Texas Rangers

By Evan Drellich
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MLB.com |

BOSTON -- Already an American League Player of the Month Award winner this season, Adrian Gonzalez garnered more accolades in his MVP-caliber season Monday, when he was named the AL Player of the Week.

Gonzalez homered five times in the week that ended Sunday. More accurately, the Boston first baseman's five long balls came over a three-day period. He went deep twice in an 11-5 victory over the Rangers on Tuesday, ending an 84 at-bat homerless streak that dated to July 30. He again homered on Wednesday before hammering out another pair against the Rangers on Thursday.

Before Tuesday, Gonzalez hadn't had a multi-homer game since May 10 in Toronto.

Monday was the second day of two straight the Red Sox had off -- a rarity in August -- and a well-rested Gonzalez was told he received the award shortly before hosting an afternoon charity event in Dorchester, Mass.

"I had a great time in Texas," Gonzalez said. "Those two days playing against Oakland [this weekend] were pretty tough. Getting in at 5 in the morning on Friday, playing a game and then having to wake up the next day early, and that doubleheader which felt like one long 11-hour game -- pretty beat after that. It was good to get two days off."

For the week, Gonzalez hit .393 (11-for-28) with a double, five home runs and nine RBIs in seven games. He's the fourth Sox hitter to take the weekly award this season, and though Gonzalez has never before received one in the AL, it's the fifth time he's been given the weekly award in his career. The last came in May 24, 2010, while with the Padres.

Gonzalez, 29, has a Major League-best .345 batting average, 298 total bases and a career-best 184 hits on the season. He entered the day second overall in RBIs (103), tied for third in extra-base hits (65), and fifth in on-base percentage (.406).

Carl Crawford, David Ortiz and Jacoby Ellsbury have also won the award in 2011.

Evan Drellich is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @EvanDrellich. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.